EP0706252A1 - Apparatus support to be mounted on a flush mounted box and fastening block adapted to such an apparatus support - Google Patents

Abstract

The support assembly for a flush-mounted electrical fitting includes a mounting block (18) consisting of a body (19) and a tab (20). The tab is connected to a clamp screw (21). The tab and clamp screw assembly is able to tilt so that it can occupy one of two positions. In the first rest position the screw is tilted away from the edge of the electrical fitting surround. In the second position the screw is in contact with the surround and may be used to clamp it in position.

Description

The present invention relates generally to supports of the type used to attach any equipment to an installation box, and, for example, any electrical equipment such as a switch, socket outlet or other, when, for the sake of the mechanism of such an apparatus in any support, and, for example, in any wall, such a mounting box is used.

These supports, which to date are most often made of metal, are in the general form of a frame, which is to be fixed to the mounting box, and which, by its central recess, is capable of receiving the mechanism of the apparatus concerned, either that this mechanism is fixed to it in the factory, for example by crimping, or that it is fixed to it by the installer of the apparatus concerned, for example by snap-fastening, to the this installer.

In practice, the attachment to the embedding box is done either using screws, which cooperate in screwing with tubular drums provided for this purpose along the wall of the embedding box on at least a portion of the height thereof, either using claws, which, under the control of each of a screw, are movable between a retracted waiting position, for which they allow the establishment of the assembly in the flush-mounted box, and a deployed service position, for which they are anchored in the wall thereof.

For fixing by screws, the apparatus supports known to date systematically comprise at least one bore, and in practice two, each suitable for the passage of such a screw.

To date, two solutions are used for claw fixing.

According to the first of these solutions, there are provided, on the one hand, supports which are effectively equipped with claws, and, on the other hand, supports which are, on the contrary, devoid of them, leaving the installer the choice between these depending on, for example, conditions specific installation of the equipment concerned.

The apparatus supports thus having to be the object of two separate references in parallel, this results, for the manufacturer, as well as for the installer, a particularly heavy and costly management of the assembly.

According to a second solution, the apparatus supports are systematically equipped with claws in addition to the holes specific to the passage of screws.

This results in an expensive way for the whole an additional cost which is not justified when only a fixing by screw is implemented.

In addition, because of their own size, the claws then present can be a nuisance for the installer during such fixing by screws.

By a possible deterioration of the insulating sheath of the neighboring electrical conductors, they can also be the cause of electrical accidents.

For this double reason, it is sometimes carried out their removal or their destruction prior to fixing by screws, which unnecessarily complicates the corresponding operations.

In German patent application No. 40 33 914, the claws are initially detachably connected to a chassis which belongs to the fixture to be fixed, and, after having been detached from this chassis, they can no longer be brought back to this one if desired.

The present invention generally relates to a provision making it possible to avoid these drawbacks.

More specifically, it firstly relates to an apparatus support to be attached to a mounting box, of the kind having at least one bore specific to the passage of a screw for its fixing by screw to such a box. mounting, this switchgear support being generally characterized in that, for its possible attachment by claw (s) to the mounting box, it is associated with it, in the form of a sub-assembly separate, at least one fixing block comprising a body and a claw which, under the control of a screw rotatably mounted on said body, is movable between a retracted waiting position and a deployed service position, and in that it comprises, on standby, a housing, which is suitable for receiving on demand a such a fixing block, and which, for controlling the corresponding screw, opens onto the front; it also relates to any fixing block thus capable of being implemented on demand on such an apparatus support.

While leaving it to the installer to choose the method of attachment he wants or must retain, the arrangement according to the invention advantageously avoids the manufacture of a large number of unused accessories, in this case the claws and the screws necessary to control them, and, thereby, it leads to a significant saving for all, by reducing the corresponding waste.

Furthermore, since the same type of fixing block can in practice be suitable for various, if not all, apparatuses, the number of references relating to these apparatuses is advantageously practically halved, only the reference relating to the fixing block being added. to all of their own references.

In addition, in the case where a screw fixing is retained, this fixing is facilitated by the absence of claws, and the risks of a possible electrical accident are reduced.

Finally, since the devices concerned are thus systematically delivered without claw, fixing by screws, more reliable over time than fixing by claws, is advantageously favored, for the benefit of safety.

• la figure 1 est une vue en perspective d'un support d'appareillage suivant l'invention, équipé de deux blocs de fixation ;
• la figure 2 est, à échelle inférieure, une vue en élévation de ce support d'appareillage, suivant la flèche II de la figure 1 ;
• la figure 3 en est, à échelle supérieure, une vue partielle en coupe, suivant la ligne III-III de la figure 1 ;
• la figure 4 en est une autre vue partielle en coupe, suivant la ligne IV-IV de la figure 3 ;
• la figure 5 est, déduite de la figure 1, une vue partielle en perspective du support d'appareillage suivant l'invention, dépourvu de tout bloc de fixation ;
• la figure 6 est, en correspondance avec celle de la figure 5, une vue en perspective d'un tel bloc de fixation, représenté isolément ;
• la figure 7 est, à échelle supérieure, une vue partielle en coupe de ce bloc de fixation, suivant la ligne VII-VII de la figure 6 ;
• la figure 8 en est une autre vue partielle en coupe, suivant la ligne VIII-VIII de la figure 6 ;
• la figure 9 est une vue partielle en coupe qui, analogue à celle de la figure 3, illustre la mise en place d'un tel bloc de fixation sur un support d'appareillage suivant l'invention ;
• la figure 10 est une vue en perspective de la griffe dont est équipé ce bloc de fixation ;
• la figure 11 est une vue en perspective d'une autre forme de réalisation de cette griffe ;
• la figure 12 est une vue partielle en élévation de la vis prévue pour la commande d'une telle griffe, pour une variante de réalisation de cette vis.

The characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description which follows, by way of example, with reference to the appended schematic drawings in which:

• Figure 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus support according to the invention, equipped with two fixing blocks;
• Figure 2 is, on a smaller scale, an elevational view of this device support, according to arrow II of Figure 1;
• Figure 3 is a larger scale, a partial sectional view along the line III-III of Figure 1;
• Figure 4 is another partial sectional view along the line IV-IV of Figure 3;
• FIG. 5 is, deduced from FIG. 1, a partial perspective view of the apparatus support according to the invention, devoid of any fixing block;
• Figure 6 is, in correspondence with that of Figure 5, a perspective view of such a fixing block, shown in isolation;
• Figure 7 is, on a larger scale, a partial sectional view of this fixing block, along the line VII-VII of Figure 6;
• Figure 8 is another partial sectional view along the line VIII-VIII of Figure 6;
• Figure 9 is a partial sectional view which, similar to that of Figure 3, illustrates the establishment of such a mounting block on an apparatus support according to the invention;
• Figure 10 is a perspective view of the claw with which this fixing block is fitted;
• Figure 11 is a perspective view of another embodiment of this claw;
• Figure 12 is a partial elevational view of the screw provided for controlling such a claw, for an alternative embodiment of this screw.

As illustrated in these figures, and in a manner known per se, the apparatus support 10 according to the invention is intended to be attached to a mounting box 11, which is partially shown schematically, in broken lines, in the figure 2, and, transversely relative to the axis of this installation box 11, it comprises a frame 12, which forms its front part, and which is intended to remain outside the installation box 11.

In the embodiment shown, the outer outline of the frame 12 is generally quadrangular, and for example square, and the same is true of its inner outline, that is to say of the outline of its central recess 13.

By this central recess 13 of the frame 12, the apparatus support 10 is adapted to allow the engagement, in the embedding box 11, of the mechanism of the apparatus to be fixed.

This apparatus, which can be very diverse in nature, has not been shown in the figures.

Its mechanism is however partially shown diagrammatically, in broken lines, in FIG. 2, under the general reference 14, and, in the embodiment thus diagrammed, it is, in practice, a mechanism fixed by snap-fastening.

For its fixing by screws to the flush-mounting box 11, the apparatus support 10 has at least one bore 15 suitable for the passage of any screw, not shown.

In practice, two holes 15 are provided in diametrically opposite positions relative to each other, and they affect the frame 12, in the middle part of two opposite sides thereof.

In a manner known per se, these are keyhole-shaped bores which extend generally circularly, being centered on the center of the central recess 13, and therefore on the axis of the box d installation 11.

For the intervention of the corresponding screws, the flush-mounting box 11 is usually equipped with tubular drums 16, which, projecting from the internal surface of its side wall, extend for example over the entire height of the latter.

The foregoing provisions are well known in themselves, and, not pertaining specifically to the present invention, they will not be described in more detail here.

In practice, only the characteristics of the apparatus support 10 necessary for understanding the invention will be described in the following.

According to the invention, for possible attachment by claw (s) of the apparatus support 10 to the flush-mounting box 11, it is associated, with this apparatus support 10, in the form of a separate sub-assembly. , at least one fixing block 18 comprising, overall, according to arrangements described in more detail below, a body 19 and a claw 20 which, under the control of a screw 21 rotatably mounted on the body 19, is movable between a retracted waiting position, shown in solid lines in FIG. 8, and a deployed service position, shown diagrammatically in broken lines in this FIG. 8, and the apparatus support 10 comprises, in waiting, a housing 22, which is suitable for receiving such a fixing block 18 on request, and which, for controlling the corresponding screw 21, opens onto the front, and therefore onto the frame 12.

In practice, for the installation of two fixing blocks 18, the apparatus support 10 comprises, in standby, in diametrically opposite positions relative to one another, two housings 22.

In the embodiment shown, these housings 22 each extend respectively in line with the holes 15, on the same sides of the frame 12 as these.

More precisely, each of these housings 22 extends in hollow on the external surface of a flange 24 which, substantially perpendicular to the frame 12, extends in projection on the lower surface thereof, bordering at least locally its central recess 13, and it opens in front on this frame 12 at the junction of the flange 24 with the latter.

Thus, two flanges 24 are provided, in diametrically opposite positions relative to each other, and they each extend respectively along two opposite sides of the central recess 13 of the frame 12.

In the embodiment shown, these flanges 24 are joined to each other, at their junction with the frame 12, by two ribs 25, which, perpendicular, like them, to the frame 12, extend along the two other sides of the central recess 13 thereof.

For its locking, in position, in a housing 22 of the apparatus support 10, perpendicular to the frame 12 thereof, the body 19 of a fixing block 18 comprises, at a distance from each other, at its back, in the embodiment shown, two shoulders 26A, 27A, for cooperation with shoulders 26B, 27B provided consequently in such a housing 22.

In practice, the shoulders 26A, 27A that comprises the body 19 of the fixing block 18 are turned towards one another, and the shoulders 26B, 27B of the corresponding housing 22 are therefore, on the contrary, turned in opposite directions by compared to each other.

In practice, also, the two shoulders 26A, 27A that the body 19 of the fixing block 18 comprises, extend generally transversely with respect to the corresponding screw 21, one perpendicular to the latter, the other obliquely to the to it to facilitate the positioning of this fixing block 18 in the housing 22.

In practice, finally, the shoulder 27A which extends obliquely is the one which is closest to the head 28 of the screw 21.

By its bottom 29, the housing 22 is capable of abutting the body 19 of the fixing block 18, on the back of the latter.

The shoulders 26B, 27B each delimit, transversely, for their part, this bottom 29, one at a distance from the frame 12, the other near the latter.

For the at least partial fitting of the body 19 of the fixing block 18, the housing 22 forms, laterally, perpendicular to its bottom 29 and perpendicular to the frame 12, facets 30, between which is able to insert this body 19.

Because of the shoulders 26B, 27B, on the one hand, and the facets 30, on the other hand, it is ensured that the fixing block 18 is locked in position in the housing 22 both perpendicular to the frame 12 and parallel to it. , and, more precisely, that parallel to the side concerned thereof.

In the embodiment shown, between the apparatus support 10 and a fixing block 18, there are, moreover, latching means.

In practice, these latching means comprise, on the body 19 of such a fixing block 18, at least one arm 32 provided with a finger 33 shaped as a hook, and, in correspondence with this finger 33, on the flange 24 concerned with the apparatus support 10, a recess 34 suitable for the engagement of such a finger 33.

In the embodiment shown, the body 19 of the fixing block 18 comprises, laterally, projecting, two arms 32, which generally form a cross at mid-height, and, in correspondence, the flange 24 of the apparatus support 10 presents, each arranged respectively on either side of the housing 22, two recesses 34.

Over at least part of the height of the barrel 36 of the screw 21 which equips it, the body 19 of the fixing block 18 comprises a housing 37 suitable for receiving the latter.

In the embodiment shown, this housing 37 forms, for the barrel 36 of the screw 21, a cradle, which extends parallel to the corresponding flange 24 of the apparatus support 10, with its concavity facing outwards, and , at least locally, this housing 37 is partially closed over more than 180 ° by two lips 38 adapted to ensure that this screw 21 is retained while allowing it to be forcibly engaged.

In practice, these lips 38 extend only over a fraction of the height of the housing 37 from the head 28 of the screw 21.

In the embodiment shown, the body 19 of the fixing block 18 comprises, on the side of the head 28 of the screw 21 opposite the lips 38, an extension 40, which locally surrounds this head 28, over approximately 180 °, and which , once the fixing block 18 in place on the apparatus support 10, extends at the edge of the central recess 13 of the frame 12 thereof.

In practice, this extension 40 extends from the oblique shoulder 27A, in favor of the latter.

It restores the continuity both of the flange 24 concerned of the apparatus support 10 and of the frame 12 thereof, by filling the corresponding parts of the housing 22 at the outlet of this housing 22 on this flange 24 and on this frame 12.

At the base of the housing 37 which it presents for the barrel 36 of the screw 21, the body 19 of the fixing block 18 comprises an inclined face 42 forming a cam for the claw 20.

In the embodiment shown, this inclined face 42 extends between two cheeks 43 suitable for guiding this claw 20.

It is for example inclined at 45 °.

Anyway, it extends on either side of the housing 37, being turned both towards the free end of the barrel 36 of the screw 21 and outwards.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 10, the claw 20 is a U-shaped part, the middle part 44 of which has a tapped hole 45 by which it is engaged with the barrel 36 of the screw 21 and each of whose wings 46 has at least one tooth 48 projecting from its edge, at a distance from the middle portion 44, and facing outwards.

In practice, the threaded bore 45 extends by means of a flange 49 coming in one piece from the middle part 44 by local pushing of the material thereof.

In the embodiment shown, this flange 49 extends projecting from the external surface of this middle portion 44, but it goes without saying that it could just as well extend projecting from its internal surface.

The apparatus support 10 according to the invention is preferably made of synthetic material, by molding the latter, and it is normally delivered without fixing block 18.

For fixing by claws, it is necessary to have, in addition, two fixing blocks 18.

For its installation, such a fixing block 18 is first engaged obliquely in the corresponding housing 22, with the extension 40 of its body 19 forward, as shown diagrammatically by the arrow F1 in FIG. 9.

Once the extension 40 of the body 19 is introduced into the outlet of the housing 22 on the flange 24 and on the frame 12 of the apparatus support 10, the fixing block 18 is straightened, by tilting in the direction of the flange 24, along the arrow F2 of figure 9.

At the end of this tilting, the arms 32 of the body 19 of the fixing block 18 snap into place by their finger 33 in the recesses 34 of the flange 24, by temporary elastic deformation of this finger 33.

Since the apparatus support 10 is thus equipped with two fixing blocks 18, it suffices, for its fixing to the installation box 11, to act consequently, in the usual manner, on the screws 21.

During such an action, the claws 20 move along the inclined face 42 of the body 19 of the fixing blocks 18, taking support on this inclined face 42 by that of the edges of their middle part 44 which is opposite to their tooth 48.

As shown schematically in broken lines in FIG. 8 for one of them, the claws 20 thus pass into the deployed service position, by means of a slight tilting of the screws 21 which control them, and they therefore come to bite on the walls of the installation box 11.

As will be noted, the flanges 24 of the apparatus support 10 are then advantageously buttressed by the mechanism 14 of the apparatus concerned.

In the alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 11, each claw 20 is, as before, a U-shaped part, but the threaded bore 45 is present on one of its wings 46, however, that the other of its wings 46 comprises in protruding on its edge at least one tooth 48.

It is therefore in this case by the connection leave connecting its central part 44 to the wing 46 having the threaded bore 45 that it bears against the inclined face 42 of the body 19 of the fixing block 18, for the benefit of a better sliding against it.

If desired, a fixing block 18 can be removed.

To facilitate this removal, there is provided, recessed on the bottom 29 of the corresponding housing 22, a recess 50 specific to the insertion of a tool on the back of the body 19 of the fixing block 18, for the exercise of a leverage thrust on it.

In the alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 12, the screw 21 of a fixing block 18 comprises, for its axial retention, a bead 51, which extends annularly projecting from its barrel 36, at a distance from its head 28 , beyond the lips 38 of the housing 37 in which it is disposed relative to this head 28.

The claw 20 with which this screw 21 is engaged can thus be positively controlled in displacement in one direction or the other.

Finally, according to the variant embodiment shown schematically in broken lines in FIG. 1, the two flanges 24 of the apparatus support 10 can be joined to one another, at a distance from the frame 12, by at least one spacer 53.

For example, and as shown diagrammatically, two spacers 53 can thus be provided, each being respectively arranged on either side of the housings 22 formed by these flanges 24.

Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown, but encompasses any variant and / or combination of their various elements.

Claims (18)

Apparatus support to be attached to a flush-mounting box (11), of the type having at least one bore (15) suitable for the passage of a screw for its fixing by screws to such a flush-mounting box (11), characterized in that, for its possible attachment by claw (s) to this embedding box (11), it is associated with it, in the form of a separate sub-assembly, at least one fixing block (18) comprising a body (19) and a claw (20) which, under the control of a screw (21) rotatably mounted on said body (19), is movable between a retracted waiting position and a deployed service position, and in this that it comprises, on standby, a housing (22), which is suitable for receiving on request such a fixing block (18), and which, for controlling the corresponding screw (21), opens out on the front. Apparatus support according to claim 1, characterized in that the body (19) of the fixing block (18) comprises, at a distance from each other at its back, two shoulders (26A, 27A), for cooperation with shoulders (26B, 27B) provided accordingly in the corresponding housing (22). Apparatus support according to claim 2, characterized in that the two shoulders (26A, 27A) which the body (19) of the fixing block (18) comprises are turned towards one another. Apparatus support according to any one of claims 2, 3, characterized in that the two shoulders (26A, 27A) which the body (19) of the fixing block (18) comprises generally extend transversely with respect to the screw (21), one perpendicular to it, the other oblique to it. Apparatus support according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, over at least part of the height of the barrel (36) of the screw (21), the body (19) of the fixing block ( 18) comprises a housing (37) suitable for receiving the latter. Apparatus support according to claim 5, characterized in that said housing (37) forms a cradle for the barrel (36) of the wash (21), and, at least locally, it is partially closed over more than 180 ° by two lips (38). Apparatus support according to claim 6, characterized in that the screw (21) comprises a bead (51) projecting annularly on its barrel (36), at a distance from its head (28), beyond the lips (38 ) of the housing (37) relative to said head (28). Apparatus support according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the body (19) of the fixing block (18) comprises an inclined face (42) forming a cam for the claw (20). Apparatus support according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the claw (20) is a U-shaped part, the middle part (44) of which has a tapped hole (45) by which it is engaged with the barrel (36) of the screw (21) and each of the wings (46) of which has at least one tooth (48) projecting from its edge. Apparatus support according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the claw (20) is a U-shaped part, one of the wings (46) of which has a threaded bore (45) by which it is engaged with the barrel (36) of the screw (21) and the other of the wings (46) of which has at least one tooth (48) projecting from its edge. Apparatus support according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that, between it and the fixing block (18), there are latching means. Apparatus support according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that, the bore (15) suitable for the passage of a screw being provided on a frame (12) forming the front part of the assembly, the housing (22) provided for the fixing block (18) extends recessed on the external surface of a flange (24) which, substantially perpendicular to the frame (12), extends projecting on the lower surface of the latter, and it opens onto said frame (12) at the junction of the flange (24) with the latter. Apparatus support according to claims 11, 12, taken together, characterized in that the latching means comprise, on the body (19) of the fixing block (18), at least one arm (32) provided with a finger (33) shaped as a hook, and, in correspondence with this finger (33), on the flange (24), a recess (34) suitable for the engagement of this finger (33). Apparatus support according to claim 12, characterized in that the body (19) of the fixing block (18) has an extension (40), which locally surrounds the head (28) of the wash (21). Apparatus support according to claim 12, characterized in that the housing (22) provided for the fixing block (18) extends in line with the bore (15) suitable for the passage of a screw. Apparatus support according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that, for the installation of two fixing blocks (18), it comprises, in standby, in diametrically opposite positions, one with respect to the other, two housings (22). Apparatus support according to claims 12 and 16, taken together, characterized in that, two flanges (24) being provided, one by housing (22), said flanges (24) are joined one to the other remote from the frame (12) by at least one spacer (53). Fixing block, characterized in that, for its implementation on an apparatus support (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 17, it comprises a body (19) and a claw (20) which, under the control of a screw (21) rotatably mounted on said body (19), is movable between a retracted waiting position and a deployed service position.

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